If you just got a new TV, you're probably wondering what to do with the old one. Maybe you're in a rush to get rid of that dusty, bulky, outdated model before the guests arrive. But before you throw it out, consider a greener option.
For example, most cities prefer you recycle old electronics. Just taking your old TV to the landfill is unnecessary. Depending on how old the TV is, it may contain toxic metals such as mercury. What should you do instead? There are many options, especially if it is still working. The most obvious is to just move it to another room, but I'm sure you've already thought about that, especially if you have a new TV to replace it with
Fortunately, many of the options for getting rid of your old TV don't cost you anything, except maybe a little of your time. Here's what to do. For more, check if your old phone can be converted into a wireless mouse or a security camera.
Before doing anything else, wipe the data
No matter what you intend to do with your TV, make sure sign out of all your streaming accounts. Then go a step further and do a factory resetwhich you can find buried in the user menu. Apparently someone has load your Netflix for free it's only a problem if your old TV is smart tv, but deleting your passwords and personal data is a good habit to get into some of your old electronics.
Try selling on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace (if it's worth anything)
While selling your TV may seem as obvious as moving it to another room, the specifics are a little less obvious.
First of all, you need a local TV pickup. No matter how well you pack your TV, even if you have the original box, it probably won't survive the trip. Modern TVs are too fragile. Now the seller has to deal with a broken TV and you have to refund the money to the buyer.
Even if you sell it locally, the same question applies. Inevitably the buyer will show up to take yours 65-inch TV in a 1990 Honda Civic and will ask you to help put it in the back. If you are getting rid of a large TV, be sure to list its dimensions and weight in the ad.
Read more: 5 Reasons You Should Use Facebook Marketplace Instead of Craigslist
And that is if you can sell it. Used TVs depreciate quickly, in part because new TVs are getting cheaper and cheaper. That TV you spent $2,000 on? You might get $200. Check out Is Your TV Worth Something? part at the bottom.
Alternatively, just list it for free. If the person picks it up, it's a win-win for everyone.
Donate your TV to charity
An easier option is to donate it to a local charity, ideally one whose volunteers will come to collect it.
There is also a Goodwill, Salvation Army, Savers or other retail retailer. You will need to bring the TV to one of their locations. Check their website to see if they will accept your TV type and size. For example, they probably won't take an old one Rear projection TV because most people don't like them.
Also, contact your local library or public schools. Many are always in need of donations, although a 20-year-old TV may not be what they're looking for.
Best Buy will take old electronics from your home — for a fee.
Give your TV (back) to Best Buy
Best Buy will take your used electronics, not just TVs, but old phones, tablets, batteries and even cables. Again, you'll need to bring the TV to your nearest Best Buy, but since it won't matter if it still works, the amount of care required drops dramatically. You'll even get Best Buy points, which you can combine with $5 to get $5 worth of candy at checkout.
Larger TVs will incur a $25 fee, which seems reasonable considering it takes this huge deal off your hands.
If you buy a new TV and install it, for $60 it will shake off the old one. If you haven't bought a new TV from Best Buy, it will come to your house and you will get it for 200 dollars.
Electronics recycling in action.
Have your TV professionally recycled
Some cities and local jurisdictions offer TV recycling, either at a recycling center or as part of your regular curbside pickup. Contact your local authority for details.
There are a number of organizations that will help you recycle your electronics, including televisions. Check it out Environmental Protection Agency page for more information. MRM Recycling also has a site to help you locate options in your area.
A number of manufacturers have their own programs or partner with companies that do. Check it out Electronics Take Back Coalition page for more information. Keep in mind that just because a manufacturer has a program, it doesn't mean there will be a drop-off location near you. For example, LG's closest drop-off point to Los Angeles, the second largest city in the US, is over 500 miles away.
If you're now thinking about all the smaller electronics around your house that you could recycle, check out ours a guide to free recycling of phones, laptops, batteries and cameras.
You can have a yard sale to get rid of your old TV.
Sidewalk or garage sale
Depending on where you live, you can let your neighbors handle it. I hesitate to even mention this because if you live in an area where people will carry things on the sidewalk, you probably know it. And if you don't know, it's not a great look leaving trash out on the sidewalk for days or weeks. So your mileage may vary on this one.
Another option is a yard or garage sale. Again, easier than towing it yourself.
Is your TV really worth anything?
Most people remember what they paid for a TV and assume it's still worth something years after they bought it. This is simply not true. TVs have become so cheap that there isn't much of a market for used TVs, especially if the TV wasn't that expensive.
Although there are some exceptions, here are some general rules:
It's probably worth something if:
- It's a high-end TV from the last five years or so
- It's an OLED TV, except perhaps the earliest models
- It is larger than 65 inches
- It is a CRT (in very specific situations, see below)
It's probably not worth much if:
- It was a budget and even a mid-range LCD
- It is 10 years old and more
- It is a plasma
- It's an early smart TV (unless the streaming apps still work)
- It is an old tube (CRT) TV.
It is definitely worth nothing if:
- It is a rear projection TV
- It's a CRT RPTV (heed this tip: lift with your knees, not your back)
- No HDMI
Now, there are exceptions to these rules. You might be able to find a collector for your £500 RCA console TV. Maybe an archeology major is doing a project on early flat panel TVs and finds your Fujitsu coin a prime candidate for their dissertation.
TVs with early HDMI versions like 1.4 they are not useless, but they have fewer uses. Maybe they don't play nice with modern streaming devices or game consoles.
Anyone who has ever used one of those Atari controllers knows that your fingers won't make it move.
There is a specific situation where a CRT can be worth something. Hardcore retro gamers prefer to play early CRT video game consolesand these are becoming increasingly difficult to find, for obvious reasons. They don't require just any CRT, though, and if you have one of the huge ones from any era, it might be more trouble than it's worth just to get it out of your house. And forget about shipping.
If the CRT has a component (red, green, blue, plus two for audio), or even S-Video inputs, it is promising. If there is no at least composite (yellow, plus red and white for audio), probably won't sell much.
In addition to covering TV and other display technology, Jeff also does photo tours cool museums and locations around the worldincluding nuclear submarines, massive aircraft carriers, medieval castlesepic 10,000 mile road tripsand more. Check it out Technological paths for all his tours and adventures.
He wrote a the best-selling science fiction novel for city-sized submarines, along with a continuation. You can follow his adventures Instagram and his YouTube channel.